Webster l



W. L. MARBLE. FRONT SIGHT FOR FIRE ARMS.

(No Modem No. 451,499. 1211611161 May 5, 1891. A

INVENTOR UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

lVEBSTER Il. MARBLE, OF GLADS'IONE, MICHIGAN.

FRONT SIGHT FOR FIRE-ARMS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 451,499, dated May 5, 1891- I Application iiled May 20, 1890. Serial No. 352.447. (No model.)

T all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WEBSTER L. MARBLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Gladstone, in the county of Delta and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Front Sights for Fire- Arms; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to {ire-arms; and it consists in an improved front or muzzle sight for rifles, Shotguns, and other small-arms.

The object of the invention is to furnish a sight that can be altered from an open to a globe sight at will and that shall be changeable from a black bead to a white or from a bead to a knife-edge or to any other desired style of sight at an instants notice and with the greatest ease. I am aware that these results have been previously accomplished; but my invention comprises a new and improved device for the purpose.

It consists, briefly, in a reversible pin removably fastened in a suitable socket. rlhe pin is reversible in two ways--to wit, nby turning it end for end and by rotating it on its longitudinal axis.

In the drawings, Figure l is a cross-section of the socket, showing the pin in elevation. Fig. 2 is a side elevation partly broken away. Fig. 3 is a cross-section of a modification; and Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 7 are enlarged views of pins of various kinds.

The barrel A of the riiie or other piece is provided with the usual undercut transverse groove to receive the ange b of the base or socket B. In the center of the socket is a hole, preferably cylindrical and perpendicular tothe axis of the barrel. The hole extends, preferably, entirely through the base.

On each side of the hole, between it and the sides of the base, is a deep narrow groove parallel with the line of the barrel, and in these grooves are received the ends of the globe C, which is hinged to the base by means of the screws D D. The latter of these screws extends through the base into the central hole and has a head or button d, by which it can be 'readily turned. The ends of the globe are rounded off on one corner to permit it to be folded down parallel with the barrel, as shown in Fig. 2. The opposite corner is left square or slightly beveled to come to a firm bearing against the bottom of the groove when the globe is turned up, as indicated in dotted lines.

The hole in the base constitutes a socket in which is received the pin E, which has a shank e to fit the hole, and is provided at one or both ends with a sight. The pin shown in Figs. l, 2, and 4 has a head e at one end and a knife-edge c2 at the other. It is preferably silver-plated to present a brightappearance.

In order to have a black bead, when desired, one side of the metal head e is cut away and counterbored and a black piece eg is set in. This may consist of ebony or hard rubber; but it is preferably' made of celluloid or zylonite. It is not polished, but presents a dead-black surface. By loosening the screw D the pin can be rotated in the socket to bring either the black or the silvered side into view, as desired. When adjusted, the pin is locked by tightening the screw D. If a knife-edge is wanted, the'pin can be pulled out and inserted the other end up. One side of the knife-edge c2 is silvered and the other is black, as shown in the drawings.

Extra pins can be carried containing sights of different styles, such as a peep-sight e4, a cross e5, and the like.

The shank may be square, if desired, as shown in Fig. 5; but I prefer the cylindrical shank of Fig. 4, as being easier to make and capable of readier and more accurate adjustment.

In case aknifeblade or line-sight is wanted I may use a fixed globe C', as shown in Fig. 3. The shank of the pin is here shown as flattened to a thin blade e, with a cylindrical head ci at each end to give the pin a steady bearing in the sockets formed in the top of the globe and in the base to afford a surface for the set-screw d to operate against. The pin may in this case have a bead and a knifeedge at either kend arranged to proj ect above the globe. The two edges of the blade e may be respectively silvered and blackened, so as IOO to present different aspects when the pin is turned around.

For persons who own but one rifle and who Want to use it both for hunting and targetshooting an interchangeable sight is a great desideratum. My invention furnishes the means for a large number of changes in the shape and color ot the sight at very small expense, and entirely obviates the necessity of taking out and putting in new bases B When the sights are to be changed. I have mentioned silver and black as the two contrasting colors; but it is evident that I can color the Celluloid piece e3 to suit the taste or necessity of the sportsman. In some cases red might be a very desirable color to use. The pins may be made of any suitable material. I have specified metal; but it is evident that Wood, hard rubber, celluloid, ivory, or even glass could be used.

In Fig. 7 is shown a pin having a cylindrical middle portion and flattened ends. Across each end is cut a groove in which is inserted a tip c3 of colored material, preferably zylonite. rlhe upright edges of the tip are either flat or rounded and are of diterent colors at each end of the pin and on either edge of the tip, so that four beads are furnished, of as many colors-for instance, black, White, red, and green. The tip is securely retained in the slot by warming it till it becomes soft and then compressing upon it that portion of the pin on each side of the groove.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

l.. The combination, with a gunbarrel provided with a socket having straight sides, of a pin fitting the socket and adapted to be removed and reversed, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with a suitable base containing a cylindrical socket, of a pin having a cylindrical portion to fit the socket, whereby the pin is adapted to bc rotated in the socket or reversed end for end, substantially as described.

3. rlhe combination, with the base B, of the pin E, inserted therein and having a sight at each end, substantially as described.

4. The combination, with the base provided with a globe, ot' the removable and reversible pin secured Within the globe, substantially as described.

5. The combination, with the base B, having a central socket, of a globe mounted on the base, a removable pin inserted into the socket, and a set-screw for securing the pin, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aix my signatu re in presence of tivo Witnesses.

WEBSTER L. MARBLE. Witnesses:

GEO. Il'. SNYDER, S. G. HOPKINS. 

